IF warm-up matches are primarily about lessons, then Uganda got plenty from their contest against the UAE yesterday.

But it remains to be seen whether those lessons can be implemented by Davis Karashani and his men in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Rohan Mustafa, Shaiman Anwar and Khurram Khan all hit half centuries as the UAE (280/4 in 50 overs) pummelled Uganda (207/3 in 50 overs) by 73 runs at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui in New Zealand.

UAE, who won the toss and chose to bat, scored at a greedy rate of 5.6 runs per over thanks in part to the generosity of the Ugandan attack. For instance, Frank Nsubuga, normally a stingy customer, leaked 81 runs in 10 overs for just one wicket.

Debutant Farouk Ochimi took a team-best two wickets but at a cost 39 runs – an economy of 4.11. Charles Waiswa took 1/44 in ten overs, while Davis Karashani bowled at an expensive clip of 6.16 runs per over, Deus Muhumuza at 5.77 runs per over.

For Ugandan bowlers, this match was the perfect wakeup call –– a warning that past reputations may not be enough at this tournament.

Philemon Mukobe, Abraham Mutyagaba, Benjamin Musoke and Richard Okia scored 52, 48, 48 and 22 runs respectively for Uganda. A look at UAE’s score would have given Uganda’s batsmen an idea of the kind of figures to aspire to once the real action starts on Monday.

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